Zoning removal should make no difference to our commitment to education
While parents are free at last to enrol their children at any school of their choice, it’s impact will be felt in several different ways. The removal of the zoning policy makes it possible First and foremost, it will increase the competition to get into the top best schools. Those schools obviously will admit the best students with very high minimum entry marks. What it means is that parents who can afford to pay for increased transport costs and live say in Navua, can send their children to Suva or Nausori schools of their choice.
The Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro has reaffirmed that the free bus fare initiative inherited from the previous Government will continue.
But if the school of choice of the parents/students is located past stage two the students would pay the difference. Some parents can afford it. Others can’t. Maybe it’s time that we consider making it means tested.
There are parents who can afford school bus fares or provide transport for their children. The free bus fare should apply to those from the low socioeconomic group to the middle class. The combined income of the parents and size of the family should help determine whether the parents earn enough to afford it or not.
Students should not be penalised because their parents cannot afford the extra bus fare.
While the other schools will pick up the remaining students in the competition for the top schools, it does not mean that their standards are mediocre. Many schools have students of varying capabilities and potential.
Those who succeed and go on to higher learning deserve it because they have worked hard and even sacrificed to achieve the grades. Others who are not cut out for academic streams but are talented in vocational and trade courses will succeed in their areas of interest if they put their mind to it.
Using this narrative, it does not really matter which schools the students attend. It’s the amount of work the students put in their studies that makes the difference in the end.
The other important part of the equation is the standard of teaching. Obviously the ministry would have to do an appraisal of the teachers’ qualifications, experience and teaching standards to see whether they are delivering the outcomes required. If the teachers are well qualified, have experience and are using acceptable teaching standards, they should be reflected in the examination pass rate.
The schools have built up their reputation through consistent delivery of desired outcomes. The achievement is based on strong work ethic, setting and achieving high standards.
It is hoped that the ministry will continue to build the standards in other schools by posting teachers there who have the qualifications, experience and commitment to make a difference. At the same time the facilitaties should be upgraded to create the environment that is conducive to effective learning for our children.
Every policy change is designed to enhance education and it is hoped that this new move to revert back to the old system of no zoning will achieve positive results.